“Mutton today, Mutton Yesterday, and blimey if it don’t look like mutton tomorrer!” It seems even Hobbit’s have a taste for Pinot… read more

“Mutton today, Mutton Yesterday, and blimey if it don’t look like mutton tomorrer!”

It seems even Hobbit’s have a taste for Pinot Noir… A little news clipping came across my desk from Judy Finn at Neudorf announcing, “Neudorf Tom’s Block Pinot Noir 2010 has been selected for the world premiere of Sir Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit”. The wine will be served at the launch and the dinner in Wellington next week.”

The Hobbit http://www.thehobbitblog.com

She goes on to say, “We can assure you that no hairy feet were involved in the pigeage of this wine but we are pretty chuffed to think Cate Blanchett, Martin Freeman and Hugo Weaver will be poured a wine from our Upper Moutere winery.”

But it’s not just the Hobbit’s that have good taste, with the Heir to throne of another Kingdom having the good sense to drink Pinot Noir… “It follows a special week – Neudorf Maggie’s Block Pinot Noir was served at Prince Charles’ 64th birthday bash at Government House”.

And would appear thatthe Finn’s are on a role, their Neudorf Moutere Pinot Gris was named “New Zealand’s Best Pinot Gris” at the Australian Good Wine Awards.

I would like to add, I have just put the finishing touches on a wine list for a new Chinese restaurant opening in Crowne Casino, Melbourne, called Mantong Kitchen, which will unquestionably be the BEST place in all Australia to have Peking Duck, cooked in ovens right in front of the dinners view. Having set out the list by wine styles paired with Chinese dishes, I singled out the Neudorf Moutere Pinot Gris 2011 to be served by the glass as a perfect pairing to Peking Duck, the synchronicity of the crispy, caramelised skin and sweet sauce with the nuances of smoky, duck fat and nougat-caramel richness in this wine an auspicious pairing that is guaranteed to bring good luck.

From a lost play by Eubulos, (c.405 BC - c.335 BC)
‘For sensible men I prepare only three kraters (large vase used to mix wine): one for health (which they drink first), the second for love and pleasure, and the third for sleep. After the third one is drained, wise men go home.

The fourth krater is not mine any more - it belongs to bad behaviour; the fifth is for shouting; the sixth is for rudeness and insults; the seventh is for fights; the eighth is for breaking the furniture; the ninth is for depression; the tenth is for madness and unconsciousness.’

The Wandering Palate - Curtis Marsh
With nearly 30 years experience in the hospitality, wine and media industries, Curtis Marsh is one of the most erudite, passionate and truly independent wine writer, commentator and presenter in Asia.

"In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read.

But the bitter truth we critics must face is that, in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defence of the new.”

As uttered by the vitriolic restaurant critic Anton Ego, in the film “Ratatouille”, after his epiphany.